As DML is an organization that emphasizes that every person has been made in the image of the most high God, as co-creators, not co-laborers, this is received as good news by those who hear. One of our teams had the opportunity to share this message in the last couple of weeks with sanitation workers, who would often be seen as the untouchables, given the most stigmatized job, and facing extreme discrimination. Here is the story, in their own words.
Outreach among the Sanitation Workers
What we never imagined was that the very places where these workers gather each day would turn into places of worship. We honored our sanitation warriors, sang gospel songs, shared the loving invitation of Jesus, “Come to Me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest," and distributed gifts as a small expression of our gratitude and love.
On one side: “We salute the sanitation warriors."
Below it: “Jesus loves you.”
On the other side: John 3:16 printed in Hindi.
Their responses deeply moved our hearts. Many said, “Nobody has ever come to meet us or thank us. Nobody even notices us. You taking the time to visit us is very special. We loved the songs and message.”
The caste system in India has long divided people and created invisible walls that prevent us from truly relating to one another. For generations, sanitation work has primarily been assigned to those on the margins of society. These essential yet often overlooked roles are rarely acknowledged with dignity or gratitude.
This Christmas, we felt led to express love where it is most needed. We spent time with our sanitation workers, visiting them, honoring them for faithfully keeping our city clean, and sharing the message of hope with them. Today, we concluded this outreach with hearts full of gratitude.
Today, as a team, we are rejoicing in what the Lord is doing through us. Our prayer is that the message of love and hope they heard will continue to sink deep into their hearts, helping them embrace the beautiful truth that they are deeply loved by God and warmly welcomed into His family. Thank you for your prayers and support.
We are so thankful for this message to be given to these sanitation workers, who can see that their work is important and appreciated!
A businessman once said to me that they feel like there is a Christian caste system as well, in which there is a holiness hierarchy that puts pastors and missionaries at the top, then professionals, and at the bottom are the businesspeople. He said that he felt that businesspeople are treated as the "untouchables" by the church, doing "secular" work for "dishonest gain" by "taking advantage" or "cheating" customers and employees.
This is definitely the case in some churches. It is often more covert than overt, with language that emphasizes a sacred/secular divide and lacks a Kingdom vision.
As we close 2025 and look forward to what God will continue to do in 2026, we pray that it will be a year in which more and more people will be unleashed to release their potential, to the glory of God!
